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U.S. National Parks > Zion National Park > Moonlight Photo TR
Moonlight Photo TR
Trip Report
Moonlight Photo TR 

Page Type: Trip Report

Location: Utah, United States, North America

Date Climbed/Hiked: May 9, 2009

Activities: Aid Climbing

Season: Spring

 

Page By: rpc

Created/Edited: May 12, 2009 / May 15, 2009

Object ID: 513335

Hits: 1022 

Page Score: 90.09% - 30 Votes 

Vote: Log in to vote

 

A Few Pretty Words...

 
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P4
 
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Jugging Up...
 
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P3
 
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Getting wet & heading down...
 
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P2

After being put in our place elsewhere by a variety of factors, Shirley & I found ourselves in the beautiful Zion on a warm (but not too hot) May morning. Given the high-volume-flow state of the river, we opted for the dry-foot approach from the Grotto Bridge. We wanted to do the Moonlight Buttress route and to spend the night on it, figuring that it was a good time to avoid the ever-present crowds (see aforementioned longer approach)....and that it would provide a confidence rebuilder following a night-long waterfall hosing & subsequent bailing off the Dihedral Wall in Yosemite. Halfway through the approach we were passed by a couple guys planning on a day climb (which in the end did not work out for them) and had a party with three European climbers at base who were going for a free ascent.

As we were hauling our bag & ledge, we started via the "direct" variation (topo). With easy hauling throughout, stress-free aid, a full-moon night, and a quick descent we got what we came for: a great fun time on a pretty line and in a brand-new-for-us area (despite being molested at night by a wall rat).

A Few Photos...


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Approach


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The "Long" Approach


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The Route


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Pitch 3


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Pitch 4


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Pitch 4


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Bivy


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Pitch 5


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Pitch 5


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Pitch 5


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Pitch 6


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Pitch 6


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Pitch 7


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Pitch 8


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The Top

Images

[ View Gallery - 9 More Images ]


Comments

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Viewing: 1-15 of 15

cp0915Welcome to Zion

Voted 10/10

I'm glad you guys had a good time. A beautiful place, isn't it?
Posted May 13, 2009 9:52 am

rpcRe: Welcome to Zion

Hasn't voted

Thanks Courtney - it sure is pretty, kinda unique for a desert environ. with the deep reds of the rock AND greens down in the valleys...a beauty for sure!
Posted May 13, 2009 11:30 am

asmrzLoving the pictures

Voted 10/10

Radek and Shirley, I bet this will not be your last trip to Zion. Isn't that a beautiful place, and man, what a route!! Pen and I are just loving the pictures sitting here in the office,wishing we were there. Thanks for sharing the experience, you two rock! Cheers, Alois.
Posted May 13, 2009 2:19 pm

rpcRe: Loving the pictures

Hasn't voted

Thank you very much Alois! A great fun route in a beautiful setting -- never been to Zion before when it was climbable. Amazing place. would love to go back (hopefully sooner than later :). Best regards!
Posted May 13, 2009 3:43 pm

Martin CashLooks like

Voted 10/10

a lot of fun! Great photos. Yeah, Zion is definitely a beautiful place. Looking forward to some more text to hear about your adventure.
Posted May 13, 2009 7:23 pm

rpcRe: Looks like

Hasn't voted

thank you very much Martin. don't think I'll get more text in though...kinda not too much to write about I guess (no inspiration?? :) Appreicate the visit.
Posted May 13, 2009 7:54 pm

SawtoothSeanWow!

Voted 10/10

Congrats on a great accomplishment- that's one of the great big walls!
Posted May 14, 2009 12:09 am

rpcRe: Wow!

Hasn't voted

Thank you Sean but this thing is really no big deal - easy (aid) climbing, easy walk off...just a nice, scenic package (crowds are the biggest challenge). Appreciate the visit & the good word Sir.
Posted May 14, 2009 11:53 am

The ChiefYa'll Got the Fever!

Voted 10/10

Hey, are those my old Lowe Balls??? Great TR and thanks for sharing. Brings back loads of very fond memories.
Posted May 14, 2009 12:10 am

rpcRe: Ya'll Got the Fever!

Hasn't voted

Chief,
thank you very much! Did use your LB's on Dihedral Wall (somewhere on the 1st 5 pitches that we did). Appreciate the visit & the good word!
Posted May 14, 2009 11:54 am

maraudersSweet...

Voted 10/10

...photos! What a climb!
Posted May 14, 2009 1:24 am

rpcRe: Sweet...

Hasn't voted

thank you very much for the good word!
Posted May 14, 2009 11:55 am

lcarreauRadek ...

Voted 10/10

The location of your TR reads "California." Which is a remarkable
place, but I thought this was Zion.

I'm confused, which is NORMAL for me. Maybe I should drink some
of Bob's "Nectar IPA" to whip me back into shape ???

Outstanding page, Radek & Shirley !
Posted May 14, 2009 9:58 pm

rpcRe: Radek ...

Hasn't voted

Thank you very much Larry (also for the correction)!
Posted May 14, 2009 10:15 pm

lcarreauRe: Radek ...

Voted 10/10

Not a problem. Oooops, I just got some 'Nectar IPA' up my nose!

While you & Shirley were doin' Moonlight Buttress, perhaps
Blondie ESCAPED to CA to visit some doggie friends ??? ?? : ))
Posted May 14, 2009 11:10 pm

Viewing: 1-15 of 15


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